Understanding the molecular events preceding and leading to atrial fibrillation

The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF), already the most common sustained arrhythmia worldwide with a lifetime risk of 1 in 3 in white individuals and 1 in 5 in black individuals, will continue to increase because of global aging and a continuing increase in the prevalence of associated risk factors (eg, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease 1 Kornej J. Börschel C.S. Benjamin E.J. Schnabel R.B. Epidemiology of atrial fibrillation in the 21st century: novel methods and new insights. Circ Res. 2020; 127: 4-20 Crossref PubMed Scopus (152) Google Scholar ). AF is associated with increased mortality and reduced quality of life; early detection and prevention are keys to combating this epidemic. Extracellular matrix remodeling precedes atrial fibrillation: Results of the PREDICT-AF trialHeart RhythmVol. 18Issue 12PreviewTo which extent atrial remodeling occurs before atrial fibrillation (AF) is unknown. Full-Text PDF Open Access